K9 Mako died of injuries sustained three months earlier when he was attacked by another dog while assisting members of the agency's Vice / Narcotics Division serve a warrant near Shelby, North Carolina.

As Mako and his handler searched the outside of the home a dog that lived on the property attacked him. Mako was immediately taken to an emergency animal hospital and underwent surgery. He never fully recovered and died on February 19th, 2015, as a result of the injuries.

K9 Mako had served with the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office for seven years.